you are a snail
urging me to linger
be in the moment
breathe
and I am annoyed

you are a snake
cautioning me to halt
be in the moment
breathe
and I am frightened

you are a seedpod
only a seedpod
heavy with life
supple with possibilities
deliberate as a snail
ancient as a snake

only a seedpod to be
trampled underfoot
kicked and scuffed and
finally flattened
only when you have been
ground to nothing
can new life begin

only a seedpod
and I am lost
in the moment

and I cannot breathe